2 Corinthians 11:5

I consider myself in no way inferior to those “super-apostles.”

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian church, which tolerates false teachers in 11:4, as he prepares to defend his apostolic standing before detailing his hardships in the next chapter.

The words — Λογίζομαι (Logizomai) means I reckon, and ὑστερηκέναι (husterēkenai) means to have been inferior, providing the literal lexical foundation for the claim of parity.

The thread — The motif of apostolic parity and grace-driven labor runs through 1 Corinthians 15:10, 2 Corinthians 12:11, and Galatians 2:6.

Why it lands — The passage requires readers to evaluate spiritual authority by gospel fidelity rather than rhetorical skill or titles, demanding a clear-eyed assessment of teaching.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

ΛογίζομαιLogizomaiI reckon γὰρgarfor μηδὲνmēdenin nothing ὑστερηκέναιhusterēkenaito have been inferior τῶνtōnto those ὑπερλίανhuperlianmost eminent ἀποστόλων.apostolōnapostles.

King James Version

For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

Cross-references

1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
2 Corinthians 12:11 I have become a fool, but you drove me to it. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.
Galatians 2:6 But as for the highly esteemed—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism—those leaders added nothing to me.